As an incredible Walk to School Month comes to an end, a record-breaking number of communities – over 3,500 – from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico celebrated an active trip to school in October 2010. The challenge - and opportunity - for all American families is to continue that excitement and focus on getting out and moving more each day, every day. Not just during the official month of celebration.

Before this summer, Seattle’s High Point neighborhood had limited access to healthy food. Fresh fruits and vegetables were particularly hard for residents of this mixed income neighborhood to find close to home. In July, an organization of High Point residents decided to take action.

I just got back from Atlanta, Georgia, where I had a blast at the Best Bones Forever! Weekend Jam. The Weekend Jam was held at the popular Lenox Square Mall, and invited tween and teen girls to celebrate their skeletons and have fun—truly, a Halloween party like no other!

It all began in 2008 when I saw how much fun students from Dorsey High School’s Culinary Arts Program had preparing healthy meals for election volunteers. As the founder and Executive Director of the non‐profit educational organization, Mother Of Many (M.O.M.), I decided to partner with Dorsey’s culinary instructor Erevetta Marzette in 2009 and created the student‐produced “Cooking Live With Dorsey High,” a WebTV healthy food series. Inspiring a move towards healthy cooking and eating seemed completely possible within one school. I never imagined, however, that Cooking Live with Dorsey High would bring rival high schools together in the spirit of “healthy eating!”

As the new Director of Let’s Move Cities and Towns, I am working with mayors and city councilors across the country to sign up new Let’s Move Cities and Towns, and support the ones who have signed up already as they work to create healthier communities.

Let’s Move! has certainly touched on a nerve in this country. And a good nerve it is. I just got finished teaching my 7th grade Health and Wellness class where we discussed Body Mass Index and calculated the BMI numbers for each student. When I asked the question, “Why should we know and keep track of our BMI?”, two answers stood out. One boy responded, “because we need to be aware of our bodies so we can help prevent conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and strokes.” Impressive for a 7th grader. The second answer was a fun one. His response was “because I think it is part of Let’s Move!”.  People are listening. Even 7th grade boys from Washington Jesuit Academy.

No matter what you pack in your children’s lunches, you’ll score an ‘A’ if you do three things: As a parent, practice healthful eating yourself, involve your kids in food shopping and meal preparation, and enjoy at least one meal a day with your kids.